Injured Duck

[ms. waddles]

I have an injured duck Ms. Waddles she has a swollen middle toe. and it is swollen up her leg I started of by isolating her from the other ducks in a clean dry area and bring her in for a warm bath thinking it might be an abcess of some sort or possibly a broken toe so I did not want her moving around. After about two weeks and her losing weight I took her to the vet and spent quit a bit to find out not much he put her on something for the inflamation and an antibotic he said there was a slight infection. We then did warm compresses 2X a day kept her isolated but she became very depressed so I separated the house and put a friend in with her that helped and she seemed to be getting better. So we put her with only the female ducks we have and now she is going down hill again foot is swollen again I don't know what to do does anyone have an idea what I can do or give her I hate to take her back to the vet and find out nothing more than I already know.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Did he tell you what was the possible cause if the infection or mention bumble foot at all?

 

[ms. waddles]

I asked him if it was bumblefoot he did tap the foot and said there was a slight infection but other than that he gave me no answers I didn't have him xray because that was going to cost $400 more.

 

[Amiga]

It may be that the infection was not completely knocked out. Can you get the vet to give a followup prescription for something (antibiotic) that would work to really knock it out? Also, antibiotics are tough on a duck's digestion. Some probiotics (plain yogurt) and vitamins would probably help. Let the vet know she is failing, at least.

Good that you have her with buddies. I think that helps quite a bit.

 

[duckyfromoz]

If the vet said there was a "slight" infection- the presciption for one course of antibiotics should have cleared it up if given the right medication or dose. It may be that this particular vet was not even sure of anything themselves- hence no explaination given to you. I only take my ducks to an avian specialist now since I was very unhappy with the treatment of my ducks by vets whos knowledge covered cats dogs and larger animals reatehr than birds. Obviously some people live in an area where there is only 1 vet available- but I would highly suggest that if there is more than one in your area- a few phone calls could be made to determine wich one may have a better knowlegde of birds and how to treat them. The foot infection may be a secondary issue- with a different reason entirely for the weigh loss - or there could be a break in the bone which is not healing due to misalignment. Without a diagnosis by a vet who knows alot more about poultry than this first vet seems too- your bird may be missing out on a very simple cure for its problems.

 

[katharinad]

400 bucks for an x-ray would make already walk out. The swelling my be fluids from the infections. Antibiotics should take care of it and the swelling should go down within days. Google "avian vet and your town". That's how I found that one vet in town does handle birds. Only his name and phone was listed in the phone book, so that didn't help but google did.

 

[ms. waddles]

Thank you I am going to keep trying things because she is such a sweet girl. The vet I had gone to specialized in exotics and he was the only one in the area that would look at ducks. When I called the vet back they said I would need to bring her back in and they would redo the tests and could do Xrays which my bill would be $600 for that visit at the least. The last bill was over $200 and I felt I did not have the answers I needed so I was very leary about taking her back. Especially since it stressed her out.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

That is a spendy bill for no answers! I would not take her back either.


Can you post a picture of her leg, top of her foot and the bottom of her foot? We (BYC family) might be able to help you better.

 

[ms. waddles]

I will get a picture of her foot and post it. It may take me a bit since I am not very good with the computer stuff.
Thank you